North Cornwall Township’s population grew by 924 residents between 2020 and 2023, more than the total combined growth seen by the other 19 municipalities in Lebanon County that had population increases over the same period.

This statistic comes from the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates of the resident populations for minor civil divisions in Pennsylvania.

Six municipalities saw population decreases over the same period: Lebanon city, Palmyra Borough, and Heidelberg, Jackson, Swatara, and Union townships.

The U.S. Census Bureau releases the statistics on an annual basis through its Population Estimates Program, which uses a methodology (PDF) that takes into account housing unit counts, group quarters populations, and data on births, deaths, and domestic and international migration.

Lebanon County’s population growth rate has slowed in recent years, down from a recent high of 1.3% year-over-year growth from 2017 to 2018, to a 0.7% growth between 2020 and 2023.

Read More: Lebanon County’s population growth rate declined over the last few years

Lebanon city saw the county’s greatest population decrease over 2020 to 2023, losing 416 residents or 1.55% of its 2020 population.

In addition to seeing the largest population increase out of any municipality, North Cornwall Township also saw the biggest percentage change in its population, either positive or negative, with a 10.86% increase for 2023 compared to 2020 figures. The municipality that saw the next greatest percentage change was Bethel Township with 4.77% growth, or 245 new residents, between 2020 and 2023.

Read More: Looking out toward the future of North Cornwall Commons: What’s coming next?

Lebanon city saw the greatest absolute decrease in population and also had the largest negative percentage decrease out of any municipality. The next closest was Palmyra Borough, which saw its population decrease by 1.52% or 119 residents between 2020 and 2023.

About half of Lebanon County municipalities saw their populations remain relatively static, with fluctuations of less than 20 residents either way. Those municipalities were Cleona, Cornwall, Jonestown, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, and Richland boroughs, and Cold Spring, East Hanover, Millcreek, North Annville, South Annville, South Londonderry, West Cornwall, and West Lebanon townships.

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Davis Shaver is the publisher of LebTown. He grew up in Lebanon and currently lives outside of Hershey, PA.

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